Nia Long
Nia Talita Long[1] (born October 30, 1970)[1] is an American actress. She is known for her roles in the television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Third Watch and Empire, and the films Big Momma's House, Are We There Yet?, Love Jones, The Best Man, Soul Food, Friday, Boyz n the Hood and In Too Deep.
Nia Long | |
|---|---|
 Long in February 2012 | |
| Born | Nia Talita Long October 30, 1970 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Partner(s) | Ime Udoka (2010–present) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Sommore (half-sister) |
Early life
Long was born in Brooklyn, New York,[1] to Talita Long (née Gillman), a teacher and printmaker,[2] and Doughtry Long, a high school teacher and poet.[3] Her family is of Trinidadian, Grenadian and Bajan descent.[4][5] She has an older half-sister, the actress and comedian known as Sommore.[6]
Long was two years old when her parents divorced. She accompanied her mother when she moved to Iowa City, Iowa, to study fine arts. Her mother moved to South Los Angeles when Long was seven years old, as she planned to marry there. She and her fiancé called off the wedding, but Talita chose to stay in Los Angeles.[7] Long's father resided in Trenton, New Jersey.
Long attended the Roman Catholic school St. Mary's Academy in Inglewood, California. She was bused from South Los Angeles to Paseo Del Rey Elementary School in Playa Del Rey from 3rd grade through 6th grade. In addition to her academic classes, she studied ballet, tap, jazz, gymnastics, guitar, and acting. She graduated from Westchester High School in Los Angeles in 1989.
Career
Long's acting coach was Betty Bridges, better known as the mother of Diff'rent Strokes star Todd Bridges. Her earliest role was in the Disney television movie, The B.R.A.T. Patrol alongside Sean Astin, Tim Thomerson and Brian Keith. Her first notable role on television was a three-year contract role as Kathryn "Kat" Speakes on the soap opera Guiding Light. Long portrayed Kat from 1991 to 1994. Long played Brandi in Boyz n the Hood. The film excited Long, who was doing her "first real movie role". It helped Long build her confidence as an actress. "It introduced me to the world in a way that it was okay for me to be who I am and still find success," she added. "I didn’t have to conform to anything."[8] From 1994 to 1995, she played Will Smith's girlfriend and fiancée Beulah "Lisa" Wilkes on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Jada Pinkett Smith was originally supposed to play Lisa, but was too short for the role (opposite a 6'2" Will Smith), thus leaving Nia to take the part. However, in the second season of the show (episode 8 - “she ain’t heavy” 1992), Nia appeared as a love interest of Will’s, ‘Claudia’ along side Queen Latifah, who was over all Will’s pick.
In 2000, Long was offered the role of Alex Munday in Charlie's Angels, but she turned it down, and the role was eventually given to Lucy Liu. In 2003, she joined the cast of the drama Third Watch, where she played NYPD Officer Sasha Monroe, continuing until the series finale in 2005. In 2005 and 2006, Long appeared on Everwood, and appeared on Boston Legal during its 2006–2007 season. Long also starred in Big Shots from 2007–2008 alongside Michael Vartan and Dylan McDermott. In 2016, Long was cast in a recurring role for the TV series Empire. She acquired the role of Giuliana, a Las Vegas club owner.[9]
Long appeared in supporting roles in a number of movies such as Friday and Made in America. Long played a leading role, or a member of the primary ensemble, in several films, including Soul Food, Love Jones, Boiler Room, Big Momma's House, Are We There Yet?, and The Best Man. Ice Cube has starred with her in four films, while (fellow Westchester High alum) Regina King has starred with her in two. Long starred alongside Michael Beach in Soul Food and in the TV series Third Watch.
Long appears in the video for Kanye West's "Touch the Sky". She directed Yolanda Adams's music video for "This Too Shall Pass". She won a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series in 2004 for her performance on Third Watch. Long co-directed and appeared in Ashanti's music video, "Baby". She also made a guest appearance on the sitcom Living Single during its first season.
She appeared in the 2013 film The Best Man Holiday, reprising her role from the original 1999 film. Unlike the original film, however, her character is in an interracial relationship with a white man. Long was revealed to be pursuing an interracial relationship in the film and explained: "We're living in a modern world where it happens and it's OK and it's no disrespect to any black man. I love black men, but the reality is the sistahs are marrying white men and the brothas are marrying white women and that's the world that we live in and it's not to be judged, and if it works for you then embrace it". Director Malcolm D. Lee also supported the interracial relationship being portrayed in the film. "African-American women who are extremely successful can't always find black male counterparts on that level so it's a little bit of a reflection of reality that black women are starting to date outside their race — and why not?"[10]
In July 2020, Long starred in the Netflix psychological thriller Fatal Affair.[11][12][13]
Personal life
Long has a son, born in 2000, from a previous relationship with Massai Dorsey.[14] Since 2010, she has been in a relationship with former basketball player Ime Udoka. They have a son, born in 2011.[14] In May 2015, the couple became engaged.[15]
Long contributes her time to the Sterling Children's Home in Barbados, as a motivational speaker.[16]
Filmography
Film
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 227 | Girl (uncredited) | Episode: "Slam Dunked" |
| Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color | Darla Perkins | Episode: "The B.R.A.T Patrol" | |
| 1991–1993 | Guiding Light | Katherine "Kat" Speakes | Unknown episodes |
| 1991 | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Claudia Prescott | Episode: "She Ain't Heavy" |
| 1993 | Living Single | Stacey Evans | Episode: "Love Takes a Holiday" |
| 1994–1995 | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Lisa Wilkes | 15 episodes Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series |
| 1995 | Live Shot | Ramona Greer | Unsold TV pilot |
| 1996 | ER | Christy Wilson | Episode: "Baby Shower" |
| Moesha | Ruth Washington | 2 episodes | |
| 1998 | Black Jaq | Jaqueline "Jaq" Blackman | Unsold TV pilot |
| 2000 | If These Walls Could Talk 2 | Karen | Television movie Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special |
| 2001–2002 | Judging Amy | Andrea Solomon | 6 episodes |
| 2002 | Sightings: Heartland Ghost | Lou | Television movie |
| 2003–2005 | Third Watch | Officer Sasha Monroe | 35 episodes NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series |
| 2006 | Everwood | Cassie | Episode: "Truth" |
| 2007 | Boston Legal | Vanessa Walker | 3 episodes |
| 2007–2008 | Big Shots | Katie Graham | 11 episodes |
| 2009–2010 | The Cleveland Show | Roberta Tubbs (voice) | 13 episodes |
| 2010 | Boston's Finest | Taylor Sanchez | Unsold TV pilot |
| 2011 | Chase | Melissa Randolph | Episode: "Narco: Part 2" |
| 2012 | House of Lies | Tamara | 8 episodes Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series |
| 2014 | The Divide | Billie Page | 8 episodes |
| 2015–2016 | Real Husbands of Hollywood | Herself | 2 episodes |
| 2016 | Uncle Buck | Alexis Smith-Russell | 8 episodes |
| 2017 | Beaches | Hillary Whitney | Television movie Nominated—Black Reel Award for Best Actress in a Television Movie or Limited Series |
| Dear White People | Neika Hobbs | 3 episodes | |
| Empire | Giuliana 'Giusi' Green | 8 episodes | |
| 2017–2018 | NCIS: Los Angeles | Executive Assistant Director Shay Mosley | Main role (season 9–10) 30 Episodes |
| 2019 | Blaze and the Monster Machines | Officer Anna (voice) | Episodes: "Officer Blaze", "The Treat Thief" |
Awards and nominations
| BET Comedy Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Category | Result |
| 2005 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Theatrical Film (Alfie) | Nominated |
| Black Reel Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Category | Result |
| 2005 | Best Supporting Actress (Alfie) | Nominated |
| 2001 | Best Supporting Actress (Boiler Room) | Nominated |
| 2000 | Best Actress (The Best Man) | Won |
| Image Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Category | Result |
| 2005 | Outstanding Actress in a Television Drama (Third Watch) | Won |
| 2004 | Outstanding Actress in a Television Drama (Third Watch) | Won |
| 2001 | Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture (Big Momma's House) | Nominated |
| Outstanding Actress in Television Movie/Mini-Series (If These Walls Could Talk 2) | Nominated | |
| 2000 | Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture (The Best Man) | Won |
References
- "Nia Long Biography". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2015.
- Cummings, Renée (March 9, 2012). "Talita Long, mother of actress Nia Long..." Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
- "Nia Long Biography (1970–)". FilmrReference.com. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
- Lauryn Hill, Nia Long. BV Entertainment Newswire – AOL Black Voices. December 21, 2005
- Pandora's Box: Mashonda Interviews Nia Long. vibe.com. September 15, 2010
- "Nia Long & Sommore Are REAL SISTERS But THIS Is Why We NEVER See Them Together". I Love Old School Music. December 13, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
- "In Step With: Nia Long". Parade Magazine. January 16, 2005.
- Melton, Nicole Marie Nia Long Reflects on 20th Anniversary of 'Boyz n the Hood' (July 14, 2011)
- Imarenezor, Christine. "Nia Long Snags New Role On Season 3 Of 'Empire'". Vibe.com. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
- Ramos, Dorkys (November 18, 2013). "Nia Long Wanted a White Boyfriend on The Best Man Holiday". BET.
- N'Duka, Amanda (October 2, 2019). "Nia Long To Produce & Star Alongside Omar Epps And Stephen Bishop In Netflix Film 'Fatal Affair'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- Lawrence, Gregory (July 1, 2020). "The Trailer for Netflix's 'Fatal Affair' Delivers Cheesy Domestic Thriller Realness". Collider. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- Guerrasio, Jason (July 16, 2020). "Nia Long is done playing the Hollywood game". Insider. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
- Rebecca Macatee (November 10, 2011). ""Nia Long Gives Birth to Son Kez Sunday Udoka"". US Magazine.
- Mackie, Drew. "Nia Long Is Engaged to Ime Udoka". People.
- "Nia: A Purpose-Driven Life". Ebony. November 2010.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nia Long. |
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